Cultural India : Indian Monuments : Char Minar

The Charminar, Hyderabad is a massive and impressive structurewith
four minarets. The Charminar in Hyderabad was constructed in 1591 by
Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah.
The Charminar in Hyderabad was constructed in 1591 by Mohammed Quli
Qutab Shah. He built the Charminar to mark the end of plague in the
Hyderabad city. Since the construction of the Charminar, the Hyderabad
city has almost become synonymous with the monument. The Charminar is
a massive and impressive structurewith four minarets. In the evening,
with illumination, the great Charminar looks even greater. With the
passage of time the Charminar occupied so much importance that it
became the heart of all bustling activities. It is inthe bustling
bazaars around the Charminar that you find the traditional nahari
stalls and kulchas of Hyderabad. Hyderabad isone of those few cities,
which have a fine blend of modernity and tradition.
The Charminar has four imposing arches, which face the four main
directions. A row of small vaulted niches ornament each of the four
arches. The Char Minar is a two-storied building with the first floor
being covered. The balconies on this floor provide a great view of the
surrounding areas. Asmall mosque adorns thetop floor of the Charminar.
This mosque is situated on the western side of the Charminar facing
Mecca, the holy city of the Muslims. This mosque is said to be the
oldest surviving mosque in Hyderabad city. Charminar, the hub of
Hyderabad city, has four wide roads going in each direction. The
Charminar is square in shape, each side measuring 100 feet, witha
central pointed high arch at the center.
The four minarets of the Charminar dominate the landscape of the
region. The minarets, their domed finials rising from their
lotus-leaves cushion, rise to 180 feet from the ground. The whole
structure containsvarious small and ornamental arches arranged in
vertical and horizontal fashion. The cornice on the first floor
upholds a series of six arches and capitals on each portico, rising to
the double-story gallery of the minarets. The projected canopy,
decorative brackets and decoration in stucco plaster add graceful
elegance to the Charminar. On the upper courtyard, a screen of arches
topped by a row of square jalis or water screens provides a delicate
charm to the muscular look of the Charminar.

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WINTER HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS IN INDIA

Honeymoon is a time when two people, after tying the knot, relax
andenjoy sometime away from others. It's just the two of them spending
allday long together. Honeymoon is the time when the newly wed couple
gets to know each other better. Honeymoon is the beginning of their
new life together. A honeymoon destination has to be such where you
forget about the daily chores and whims and just rekindle the love. In
India honeymoon is the first official outing for the bride and the
groom, so it has to be a special destination to celebrate the occasion
of being together and entering a new phase of life.
Auli
Auli is located in the cradle of snow-capped mountains. Auli is one
ofthe very few places in India where skiing is a major pastime. As the
winters set in, the mountains seem to extend to the firmament with
arms of snow. The bitter cold winds, the vast snow-covered landscape,
the sylvan mountains, all add up to make Auli a skier's paradise.
Patnitop
Patnitop is a beautiful and serene hill station. With all its beauty
at a hill station, it is a charming plateau at 2, 024m. The meadow is
surrounded by dense woods and lush greenery of Pines. Trackslead to
pockets where time stands still and calmprevails. If seeking snowboard
joys December to March is the time to be here.
Manali
Manali is surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length. Situated in
the lap of Kullu Valley, Manali is an ancient town. Manali's major
asset is its proximity to the snow line. The national level skiing
competition is held on the slopes of Solang Nullah and the winter
carnival is organized at Manali. Flourishing orchards, popular
honeymoon destination and trail head for numerous treks make Manali a
dream destination.
Tamilnadu
Tamilnadu is a wonderful tourist place. It has natural beauty i.e.blue
beaches and clear skies. People enjoy the peace amidst the lively and
magnificent temples. There are more than 30,000 temples in Tamil Nadu,
which has given the state the distinctive title of 'A Land of
Temples'. Built by various dynasties these temples bear a superficial
resemblance to each other in that they share the same physical
features - the gopuram or the imposing tower over theentrance and the
spacious halls and corridors.
The history of the Tamils presents an exciting pageant of a powerful
civilization whose origindates back to ancient times. It is clear that
the Tamils, who belong to the Dravidian race, werethe first major
occupantsof the country and settled in the north-western part of India
long before the coming of the Indo-Aryans. Excavations have revealed
that the features of the people ofthe Indus Valley Civilization bore a
strongresemblance to this race.
Tamil Nadu celebrates alltheir festivals in colourful splendour. Tamil
Nadu offers the traveller excellent value, particularly in
accommodation. Hotel prices are generally lower than they are further
north and standards are often higher. The food in Tamil Nadu is
comparatively inexpensive and good. Tamil Nadu provides the visitor
with a wide variety of cuisines.
For the tourists, most important point to remember about Tamil Nadu is
the rainy season between October and December when the northeast
monsoon brings rain here. Throughout the year for the plains, cotton
is the best wear. In the hilly areas, you will need to carry a light
sweater or two, heavier woollens are a must for winter. Umbrellas are
extremely needed during the hottest months and raincoats will come in
handy between October and December i.e. the rainy season. The best
time to visit to Tamil Nadu is between November and March.
Tamil Nadu is bounded by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the north and
Kerala in the west. The eastern and western tips of the state are
defined by the Point Calimere and Mudumalaiwildlife sanctuaries while
the northern extreme is Pulicat lake and the southernmost tip is
Kanyakumari, the land's end. The people ofTamilnadu lead relaxed
lifestyles. The urban social recreations include clubs, golf links,
beach resorts, theme parks, race courses, art and theatre. Visits to
game reserves, holiday resorts, long sandy beaches, zoological and
entertainment parks andsanctuaries are the othermany social pastimes
available. Tourists spots include hill stations like Ooty and
Kodaikkanal which are all time favourites.
Coonoor
A quiet hill station, an hour away from Ooty, and reached by a
delightful toy-train, Coonoor nestles snuggly in the lap of the famous
blue Nilgiri hills. A delightful town with exquisite scenery all
round, there is much to see at this idyllic, lesser-known retreat
covered by grassy meadows, a profusion of sunflowers, marigolds and
rhododendrons, all growing wild.
With steep hills and valleys carpeted with teabushes, interspersed
with eucalyptus and silver oak, life moves at agentle pace in this
town of tea estates. Commanding a breathtaking view of theCoimbatore
plains, it is a paradise for avid trekkers and naturalists with its
vast stretches of undisturbed shoals forests. An essentially small tea
garden town, the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.

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Imam Hasan (a.s.):

Imam Hasan (a.s.) was born on the 15th of Ramzan al-Mubarak in the 3rd
Hijrah. His name was suggested by Allah (swt) through a Vahi
(revelation) to the Prophet Mohammad (saw) which suggested that since
Imam Ali (a.s.) isto the Prophet Mohammad (saw) as Hazrat Haroon
(a.s.) was to Hazrat Moosa (a.s.), thename of his child should be on
the name of the son of Hazrat Haroon (a.s.) which was Shabbar -
meaning Hasan in Arabic. This was the first time that a child was
named Hasan.
Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Knowledge
Imam Hasan (a.s.), like all other Imams wasgranted divine knowledge by
Allah (swt)and he demonstrated it right from his childhood.
Once Imam Hasan (a.s.) was asked "What are the 10 strong things that
are stronger than one another?" Imam Hasan (a.s.) replied:
Among the strong things is Stone;
Even stronger is the Iron which is used to break Stone;
Even stronger is the Fire which melts Iron;
Even stronger is the Water which extinguishes Fire;
Even stronger are Clouds that carry Water with them;
Even stronger is the Air which floats the Clouds with it;
Even stronger is the Angel who moves the Air;
Even stronger is the Angel who will give Death to the Angel who moves the Air;
Even stronger is the Death which will come upon the Angel of Death; and
Even stronger is the order of Allah (swt) which governs the Death.
Once the ruler of Rome asked Imam Hasan (a.s.):"Which are the
creations which were born without a mother and father or Male and
Female?" and Imam Hasan (a.s.) replied:
These are 7 creations: Hazrat Adam (a.s.), HazratHawwa (a.s.), the
lamb which was sent in place of Hazrat Ismaeel (a.s.), the camel of
Hazrat Saleh (a.s.), the serpent of Hazrat Moosa (a.s.), Ibleesand the
crow that taught the method of burial to Qabeel son of Hazrat Adam
(a.s.).
Two Ahadith in praise of Imam Hasan (a.s.)
1. Ahmad ibn-e-Hambal, Tirmizi, Nisai and ibn-e-Habban quoted on
authority of Hazrat Huzaifa (r.a.) and Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (r.a.)
that Prophet Mohammad (saw) said - Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) are
the leaders of the youth of paradise and Fatimah (s.a.) is the leader
of the women of paradise.
2. Tirmizi and Ibn-e-Habban quoted from Hazrat Usama bin Zaid (r.a.)
that Prophet Mohammad (saw) said - Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) are
my and my daughter's sons. O Allah I love them so you love them too
and you love anyone who would love them.
Problems during and after Imam Hasan (a.s.) life
As with the otherImam (a.s.), Imam Hasan's lifewas also filled with
difficulties. From thevery childhood he saw the faces and activities
ofthe so called companions of the Prophet Mohammad (saw) who left him
alone in several battlefields, who objected to the Prophet Mohammad's
(saw) decisions up to the stage that some of them expressed their
doubts that he was Allah's Prophet.
Then upon the demise of Prophet Mohammad (saw), he saw that only a
handful of his faithful companions were there to bury him and the rest
had left him to share political power among themselves. He saw the
atrocities of Bani Ummayad in the way they treated the Ahle Bait(a.s.)
and hurled accusations against ImamAli (a.s.) after the killing of
Hazrat Usman third Caliph. He lived through the battles of Siffin ,
Jamal and finally saw the martyrdom of his father Imam Ali (a.s.).
As if all of this was not enough, even after his death the agents of
Bani Ummaya continued their work against the Ahle Bait (a.s.) and
grafted stories of hundreds of marriages of Imam Hasan(a.s.). Some
mentioned that he married 70 times and other said that he married more
than 300 times but none could count names of more than 10 wives. Such
was the strength of their hatred that upon his death, he was not
allowed to be buried alongside his grand father, the Prophet Mohammad
(saw).
Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Amr Bil Maroof (Enjoininggood)
Perhaps we all have experienced the situationwhere we meant to convey
a correct criticismwith good intentions to afriend, but it has
unintentionally leaded todispleasure and annoyance. Have we
everthought about the best way to increase the effectiveness of
criticism?
In general, when a person makes a moral criticism, two targets could
be sought: (1) the action which the criticizer finds incorrect, (2)
the person who has performed the incorrect action. What is painful and
burdensome about criticism, and can lead to anger, grudge, and
animosity is the damage that hurts one's pride. Although that person
might argue about his action and bring proofs for its correctness, in
reality, he is defending"himself", and is attempting to save his
esteem and personality.
Therefore, to assure that a criticism does not hurt one's pride or
make him react, the criticizer has toset the incorrect action asthe
main target of his criticism rather than its performer. If so, the
criticism would be constructive, and desirable consequences would
follow. The traditions of Imam Hassan (as) bear a good example of such
criticism:
An old man sat to do his Wudhu / Wuzu (Ablution). But his Wudhuwas not
correct. Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) the grandsons of
the ProphetMohammad (saw), then two young boys, watched him. They
immediately realized thatthe old man was not doing his Wudhu
correctly, but hesitated totell him directly. Perhaps the old man
would feel humiliated by two youngboys, or he might even lose interest
in the act of worship.
Sitting next to him, they started to do the Wudhu and during the
Wudhu, Imam Hasan (a.s.)said: "Oh Hussain my Wudhu is correct and more
perfect than yours."
In reply, Imam Hussain (a.s.) insisted that his own Wudhu was better
than Imam Hasan's.
Finally they said: "Let us refer to this gentleman. He is older than
us and should be able to decide."
The old man was listening patiently. The boys performed their Wudhu
under his supervision, one after theother. And when they had finished,
he realized the Wudhu done by the boys was methodical andcorrect. It
was his own Wudhu which was incorrect. Turning to Imam Hasan (a.s.)
and Imam Hussain (a.s.), he gently said: "The Wudhu done by you is
correct. I am grateful that you chose to guide me in such a beautiful
manner."
Imam Hassan (as) and Imam Hussain (as) neither criticized the old man,
nor reproached himfor his ignorance of the ruling of Islam.
Moreover,they did not refer to his way of performing Wudu, nor did
they call his action void. Rather, they performed Wudu themselves and
taught the old man its correct way indirectly. The result of this
polite and wise criticism was that the old man confessed to his
mistake explicitly, learned how to perform Wudu correctly, and thanked
them with kindness and pleasure.
Indeed, having good morals is the best way of criticism and education.
It is so important that according to Imam Hassan (as), "The best of
the best is having good morals".
How cautious are we towards the details the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) have
taught us in criticizing our brothers in faith? Arewe helping others
progress and get educated through good morals and leniency?
Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Anger Management
Mubarad and Ibn Aisha narrated that a man fromSyria saw Imam Hasan
(a.s.) riding a horse and started insulting him. Imam Hasan (a.s.) did
not reply to the man. When the Syrian stopped, ImamHasan (a.s.)
proceeded towards him and after cheerfully greeting him said:
"Old man, I believe you are a stranger. Maybe you have confused me
with another person. If you ask forgiveness, it is granted to you. If
you askfor a means of transportation, we shall provide it for you. If
you are hungry, we shall feedyou. If you are in need of clothes, we
shall cloth you. If you are deprived, we shall grant you. If youare
being sought, we shall give you refuge. If you have any need, we shall
fulfill it for you. And if you wish to proceed with your caravan be
ourguest until you leave, it would be more useful to you, for we hold
a good position, great dignity and vast belongings."
When the man heard the words of Imam Hasan (a.s.) he cried and said:
"I testify that you are Allah's heir on His earth. Allah surely knows
to whom He assigns His Message. You and your Father were the most
resented of Allah's creatures to me, but now you are the most
belovedof Allah's creatures to me."
The man then directed his caravan and became their guest of the town
until he departed while believing in their love.
Imam Hasan (a.s.) Maid Servant and Anger Management
Once a maid of our 2nd Imam, Imam Hasan (a.s.) dropped a hot bowlof
soup on Imam Hasan (a.s.).
She was very scared because she thought the Imam Hasan (a.s.) would be
angry and punish her.
She immediately recited the Ayah: "...Those who control (their) anger..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) smiled and said he was not angry .
Then she recited the nextpart of the Ayah: "...And are forgiving
towards people..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) said he had forgiven her.
She then finished the Ayah: "...Allah loves those who do good..."
Imam Hasan (a.s.) told her she was free.
The above Ayah is from the Holy Quran: Surah Aal-e-Imraan (3), verse 134.
Moral: The Holy Qur'an is not just there to read butto learn from and
act upon. It is the word of Allah and teaches us everything we need to
know if only we understood it.

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Islamic Story :- Ch 3: A Letter

A few days later, Isabella again went in the evening to the same
garden where she had heard the conversation of two Muslim divines.
Soon after she had taken her seat, Umar Lahmi andMuaz also arrived and
began to talk on different subjects.
Umar Lahmi: I have hearda curious and interesting report today.
Muaz (surprised): What is it?
Umar Lahmi: The objection, that you raisedon a passage of Saint Paul's
Epistle the other day, has reached the ear of the Head Priest and
there is a great commotion among the priests on account of it. Itis
also said that some sensible persons have even become sceptics.
Muaz: Well, this seems to be mere gossip. Who could have heard our talkthat day?
Umar Lahmi: Who could have heard our talk? Is it for nothing that the
priests have become so agitated?
Muaz: After all what is thecause of the commotion? Have the priests
heard our objection for the firsttime?
Umar Lahmi: The reason I cannot tell myself, but what I have heard and
why the priests have become agitated is just for our objection.
Severalmeetings have been held among the priests to finda solution.
The report hasreached me through Christian sources.
Muaz: Just one objection has created commotion among the priests. All
beliefs of Christians are ridiculous. While sin was committed by Adam
punishment was given toall and the entire humanity became sinful. And
has this belief any justification that in retaliation of the sins of
all the sinners, an innocent person is punished and, to bear the
burden of all the sins,"the son of God" comes to earth and is
crucified. Is it not the very limit to make Divinity a weak and
powerless person? If Christians have any answer to all these
questions, let them come forward and explain.
Umar Lahmi (laughing): Ifit is not Christians who can go to that limit
of absurdity, who else can do this? Everyone can talk reasonably, but
thereshould be someone to talk nonsense.
Muaz: I think it is time that we exploit this Commotion.
Umar Lahmi: It is a very good suggestion and at this time let us
publish a poster in which we should recount all the absurdities of the
Christian belief.
Muaz: This is quite good and it will create a commotion among
Christians all over Spain.
Isabella and her two classmates sitting in a corner of the garden were
listening attentivelyto this talk and were cracking their fingers in
anger. At last Isabella lost her patience and said to her companion;
We must refute their allegations and do everything to convince them.
May our Lord Christ attract them to his side! If these Muslims can be
convertedit will be such a great victory for Christianity that
henceforth Muslims will never be able to raise their heads in this
country. And Isabella raised her head to the heaven and earnestly
prayed to God to bring these "unbelievers" and enemies of Christianity
tothe Christian fold that "Thy Greatness is manifested."
A companion: Sister Isabella.' These "unbelievers" are very
hot-headed. How can they give up Satan and take the hand of Lord
Christ? But the trouble is that our priests are also afraid of these
Muslims. Itwas just yesterday that, on seeing your worry about the
objection about our religious law and curse, I put it to the priest of
our parish who ignored it saying that weshould pay no attention to
what these Muslims say. Their answer is not discussion but the drawn
sword. When such is the condition of our priests, why should the
Muslims not become arrogant?
Isabella: The thing is that our priests do not like to talk to these
"unbelievers" and keep quiet. But their silence does not mean that
they cannot solve their problems. Yet if they are assured that after
being convinced most of the Muslims will be ready to embrace
Christianity, they will face them most willingly.
The companion: Written promises may be taken from these Muslims and
they should be made to talk face to face with our priests, so that on
the one side our Christian divines are forced to talk to them and
these Muslims are forced to embrace our faith.
Isabella: This is quite good. But will these Muslims be ready for it?
The companion: Why not,what have you just heardfrom their own lips?
Isabella: Then why to wait? Inform them just here that they should be
prepared to discuss with our priests. I am giving you a chit which you
maytake to them and see what they reply.
The companion: But first ascertain from our divines. These
"unbelievers" may be ready, and our divines may not agree.
Isabella: If these people give a written undertaking that on being
convinced they willembrace Christianity; our divines will certainly
have a dialogue with them.
Isabella then wrote out the note: "Please pardon me. I overheard your
talkvery attentively and sincewe are also interested in theological
questions I hope you will not mind my intrusion. You have just told
your companion that if Christians satisfactorily explained relation
between religious law and curse you will embrace Christianity and you
also want to challenge Christians on religious law and curse, so, as
servants of our Lord JesusChrist, we gladly accept your challenge,
provided you give a written undertaking of it.—A Humble Servant of
Christian Faith."
Her companion handed over this chit to Umar Lahmi who immediately
showed it to Muaz and promptly wrote the answer: "We thank you for the
trouble and we agree that if your elders explain to us the dilemma of
religious law and curse, we assure you that I myself and my associates
will embrace Christianity. Now say where and when we should come to
discuss —A Humble Servant of Islam , Umar Lahmi."
Isabella on reading this replied: "About time and place I will I come
tomorrow and let you know.—A Servant."
Coming' out of the garden of Cordova Isabella's first concern was to
find out a learned man for dialogue with the Muslims and so, before
going home, she went to her kind teacher and told him all that had
happened. The teacher who was himself a priest and well versed in
religious problems, on seeing Isabella's worry, snubbed her and asked
her if it was such a serious matter as to cause her worry. Isabella
then showed him the note which Umar Lahmi had given her in the garden
that evening and in which there was an undertaking that if this
problem was solved, he along with his associates will accept
Christianity. On this the teacher agreed to take up the matter and
felt the need of some eminent scholars. He pacified the anxiety of
Isabella and had her leave to depart saying that he would fix up the
time by noon nextday.
Isabella spent a restless night and the question continued to haunt
her -what was going to happen the next day, for if her learned men
were unable to satisfy Muslims then Christians will be browbeaten for
ever. At last morning came and, after finishing her toilet, she began
to study the Bible. Just at noon she took with her two of her friends
and repaired to the house of the priest where she found a large number
of priests gathered, waiting for someone on whose arrival the chair
was offered to him; Isabella's teacher, after the praise of Jesus
Christ, explained the object of the gathering and earnestly requested
the scholars to take courage and prepare for a dialogue with the
Muslims trying to convert them to Christianity.
One priest: We wonderedwhat was the grave problem for which we had
been asked to meet together. On reaching here I found that it was
asimple affair. Just call these Muslims even now and any one of us
will convince them.
Another priest: It is true that the matter is not very grave as we
often hold discussions with the Muslims. But since the news has gone
out that Christians have no answer to the objection of Muslims, the
issue has assumed importance and now we should fix time for the
discussion.
A person: Tomorrow is Sunday and all Christians will gather in the
great church, so Muslims shouldbe called there tomorrow, and may Lord
Jesus give them guidance.
A priest: This is a good suggestion. (Then addressing Isabella: Your
respected father who leads prayer in that church should be presentas
possibly we may need his help at some stage since you are the
intermediary for this talk between us and the Muslims.
Another person: Her father is the Head Priest of all Spain and there
is no one else more learnedin the problems of Christianity than he,
and therefore his presence is essential.
Michael (Isabella's teacher): Surely, surely.
So the proposal was unanimously adopted and Sunday was fixed forthe
dialogue. At Isabella'srequest Michael wrote out a permit for Umar
Lahmi to enter the church.
Now it was just one and a half or two hours for the sun to set.
Isabella prepared herself to go to the garden when her other two
companions also arrived and they slowly walked towards the garden
where they found Umar Lahmi and Muaz already sitting and, unlike other
days, some other people were also with them. Isabella herself handed
over Michael's letter to Muaz which was opened and read by everyone.
Muaz (to Isabella): We arevery thankful for all your painstaking and
if either of the parties gets guidance the credit of it will first go
to you.
Umar Lahmi (to his companions): She is a scholar of Christian
philosophy and well learned in theology. Howpraiseworthy is her zeal
to try to take us out from "disbelief"!
Isabella: I am a humble servant of Jesus Christ and thank you for
accepting the invitation.
One Muslim. Allah forbid! Just see how Christians assign partners to
Allah and deify Christ. Surely, they are out of their senses,
otherwise how can a living man…
Umar Lahmi: You have already entered into controversy. It has to be
decided tomorrow at the great church. (To Isabella): You may assure
the priests on our behalf that we shall certainly come to the church
just after breakfast.
Isabella immediately left with her companions anddid no longer stay at
the garden as she used to do for she had to make arrangements and hold
consultations for the nextday's gathering.
Isabella – A girl of Islamic Spain/

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